Richard F. Kelley named to leadership position at Oakland University

A former executive with University of Detroit Mercy and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra has been selected to serve as senior director of development for The Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine.

In this capacity, Richard F. Kelley of Birmingham, will be responsible for planning and overseeing all fundraising activities for the School of Medicine, which opened to its first class of 50 in O'Dowd Hall on the Auburn Hills' side of OU's campus in the fall 2011. The 1,500-acre campus stretches between Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills.

Expectations are that enrollment will grow to about 125 in the fall.

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Kelley's development efforts are designed to support the medical school's mission of graduating students who are skillful, ethical and compassionate physicians, as well as inquisitive scientists, said David Groves, OU spokesman.

Financial support for the school also helps it lead in promoting, maintaining and restoring health to individuals and communities served by the school and its graduates.

Although it remains a possibility in the future, the university presently has no immediate plans to construct a new medical school facility, university officials said.

However, if that time comes, the senior director of development would play a critical role in seeking donor support for the project.

At present, "recent facility upgrades to the medical school's current location in O'Dowd Hall will more than adequately serve the growing number of students taking advantage of the medical school's unique, holistic approach to medical education," officials said.

Kelley gained extensive major gift fundraising experience through leadership positions with the University of Detroit Mercy's School of Law and College of Business Administration and with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Immediately prior to joining Oakland, Kelley served as executive director of advancement, alumni relations and continuing dental education at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry.

Kelley has a bachelor of arts degree in business administration from Michigan State University and a master of business administration degree from the University of Detroit Mercy.